Written question asked by Baroness Tonge (Liberal Democrat) on Tuesday, 20 January 2004, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Monday, 2 February 2004. It was answered by Baroness Hughes of Stretford (Labour) on Monday, 2 February 2004 on behalf of the Home Office.

Home Office

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, how many children are held in detention centres for asylum seekers. - Inc figures.

Answer: Dr. Tonge: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many children are held in detention centres for asylum seekers. [149822] Beverley Hughes: The latest available information shows that at the end of September 2003 1,575 people were detained solely under the Immigration Act, of whom 1,270 had sought asylum at some stage. Information on the number of these who were detained as part of a family group is unavailable. However, the Immigration and Nationality Directorate internal management information indicates that on 8 December 38 children were in detention. This information also indicates that the average time for which children are detained in UK removal centres is about 10 days, although the majority would be in detention for periods less than this.

Secondary information